What’s Your IAQ? Take this Quiz

The American Lung Association Health House program says there are many different types of contaminants that can decrease your indoor air quality (IAQ) in your home.

Left untreated, invisible airborne particles (dust, pollen, mold spores) can contaminate the air your family breathes. Be proactive about improving your IAQ.

Answer yes or no to the following questions to find out if your home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ)

 

1. Do you have pets in your home?
2. Does anyone in your home smoke?
3. Does anyone in your family suffer from allergies, asthma, or breathing difficulties?
4. Do you suffer from a dry throat, dry skin, or experience static electricity in your home?
5. Do cooking or other odors tend to linger in your home?
6. Do you use anti-bacterial household products like soap or cleaners?
7. Have you ever purchased or used a portable room air cleaner or humidifier to relieve symptoms of unclean or dry air?
8. Do you have your filters changed regularly?
9. Do you regularly program your thermostat for energy savings?
10. Has it been more than a year since you’ve had your A/C system serviced?

If you have pets, smokers, allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, you may want to think about a whole-house air cleaner.

• A whole-house air cleaner traps and filters up to 98% of airborne particles and contaminants passing through the duct system.
• The air cleaner makes sure cleaner air is distributed to all rooms in your home.

 

If the air in your home is too dry, it can potentially damage woodwork and irritate the skin.

• Low humidity levels are necessary to prevent mold and mildew.
• A whole-house humidifier maintains a proper humidity level in your home.

 

If odors linger in your home, or the air in your home feels stale, it may be a sign that your home isn’t getting as much fresh air as it needs.

• A continuous exchange to fresh air will send out stale air.

 

If you are concerned about germs, mold, and bacteria in your home, consider a UV light.

• A UV light will eliminate surface mold and airborne bacteria to make sure it doesn’t survive in your duct system.

 

If you’ve ever purchased portable air cleaners or humidifiers to relieve symptoms of unclean or dry air, you know that they can be expensive and inconvenient.

• Whole-house solutions work to zap airborne bacteria.
• They also trap airborne particles.
• Control the humidity in your entire

 

HEPA filters are highly effective; they can decrease humidity in your home.

• When the humidity level in your home is lower, it decreases the amount of dust mites and other particles.

 

If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, consider getting one. It can help you reduce costs on electricity bills.

• When used as directed, a programmable thermostat can save up to 33% on air conditioning and heating costs.

 

If your air conditioning and heating system hasn’t been serviced in more than a year, you are overdue.

• Allowing dust and moisture to collect in your a/c and heating system can reduce indoor air quality.
• Semi-annual or annual maintenance can prevent unexpected equipment failure.
• A maintenance agreement is necessary for most warranties.

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions, our Comfort Advisors want to talk to you about improving your home’s IAQ. Call us at (941) 485-2222 to schedule your consultation today.